Assist with wildlife research and gain experience on a work placement
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Program Overview
Interns will be based in one of two locations, in the Limpopo Province or the Kwazulu Natal, areas renowned for their abundance of wildlife. Depending on your location, you could get up close and personal with the ‘Big Five’ of South Africa (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo).
The first 12 weeks of the internship are based on our wildlife research expedition. Here you will assist us with predator research on big cats, learn about conservation techniques, as well as other wildlife and their habitats. Gain internationally recognised qualifications, track animals using bush skills and telemetry equipment and watch the sunset over the African bush.
On successfully completing the expedition you will have the necessary skills to undertake your 12 week work placement. During this phase, depending on your skills and our partners requirements, you will be based at a conservation organisation or a safari lodge catering to tourists.
Life on the Program
Most of your time is spent in game viewing vehicles out in the reserve, especially at dawn and dusk when the weather is cooler and the wildlife is most active. The main research focus varies depending on your location and could involve big cats (lions, leopards, cheetahs), hyena, and elephants.
The work varies according to the schedule but all interns will be involved with locating the wildlife, predator research, data entry, personal projects and camp duties.
Camp itself is fairly rustic with shared sleeping arrangements in either an old farm house or tented camp whilst on the expedition. Accommodation at the work placements varies but all offer basic to comfortable accommodation.
Program Details
Please note that exact project details are always subject to change. Typical work can include predator research, sex/age ratios of herbivores, vegetation monitoring, mountain conservation and biodiversity projects, ecological studies and community projects.
The data gathered is used to give an accurate picture of the predators impact on prey populations, determine social structure, genetics, and spatial movement. This vital information helps maintain a healthy balance of these natural resources and ultimately conserve some of Africa’s natural heritage bioregions.
Volunteer Testimonials
There is so much to say and so much I have seen with a group of people from all around the world with similar interests. It was the most memorable time of my life. Some of the highlights: seeing lions less than 5m away, hyenas nosing around the land rover, seeing elephants on foot 10m away and then hearing three more just 15m behind us – how can something so big be so quiet! Other favourite moments include walking on on the cheetah and tracking (and trying to keep up with a) rhino on foot for 40 minutes.
Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- An internationally recognised qualification in Biological Survey Techniques
- An internationally recognised qualification in Team Leading
- Reserve fees and permits
- Research training
- Wildlife identification techniques
- Telemetry training as relevant
- First Aid & CPR training and certification
- Weekly evaulation with your mentor
- Final evaluation
- Certification and summary of training and experience received
- Confidential professional reference
- Work placement
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Airport and reserve transfers
